Ray Groom commenced his career at Cooee as a young ruckman and forward in the early 1960s under ex-Collingwood hard man Ron Kingston. Upon commencing his VFL career in 1963 he established himself in the very powerful Demons’ line-up. Cruelly curtailed by injury in 1964, Groom missed Melbourne’s last premiership. However he repaid the faith shown by master coach Norm Smith—who bestowed upon him Barassi’s famous number 31 guernsey—in later years. As Mebourne’s star started to wane in the mid-1960s, Groom grew in stature, with his pace and marking key assets. He was rewarded with the club best and fairest in 1968 and also represented Victoria before returning to Tasmania to commence a career in law and politics. Returning to Cooee in the late 1960s, Groom next represented Tasmania at the 1969 National Carnival before focusing on his professional career.